Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-11-24
OLD CORNSTALK.

/ y 81
were infringing on bis rights by pull
ing down bis fence aud allowing their
cattle to range in bis fields. For this
assumption be was shot down. The
Denson, four In number, fed TO The
mountains. The governor issued q
proclamation, calling on all good citi.
zens to assist 10 their arrest. Men
turned loose their plow handles and
rallied to the support of the law. II
reminded one of the beginning of the
war. when farmers suddenly became
soldiers. The posse was under the
command Of Sheriff Guiding, bold
man, who brought home three wounds
from Gettysburg, and among the aven.
gers was an old fellow named Corn.
stalk Johnson. Why this name was
given him is not known, unless 1t beior
the fact that be bad but one ear, ana
IL is said that stalk Of corn in the
Oak Flat neig never bore but
one ear. Cornstalk took with him an
old rifle which be declared was pre-
sented to his grandfather by Dayy
Crockett. The neighbors held their
own OPT Mons concerning the histori-
cal value OF the gun, and some Of
them limited that he"nipped" the rifle
during the Brooks Baxter war, but as
every one desired to be on good terms
with the old fellow, he was allowed to
have bis own way.
1t was known that the benson boys
bad friends in the mountains, and that
desperate resistance would be made.
Quite number Of men who at first
were eager to serve the state, became
discouraged when the excitement had
died away and finally Sheriff Guild
ing just as the posse was entering the
mountain de6les. stood high in bis
stirrups, and exclaimed:
Il want you fellers to understand
one thing. There's going to be some
music round here. and coward has
no business in this gang. Ifanybody
wants TO go back. now's the time fer
him to git"
The appellation Of coward had ef-
feet, and for time no one was dis
posed to accept the humilitating terms
Of discharge. Finally old Cornstalk
-~do fruur thv ruuhS uud safu:
IL know as well as | know nv
name that some o. you fellers are
skeered. | don't want to see 20 man
hurt, an some of you need a leader
what is got the moral backbone. Jis'
let me say, Mr.. Sheriff, that you can
count me out O. this here undertak-
in'."
Shame on him!" exclaimed several
voices. Coward! traitor!"
'Cornstslk,' said the sheriff, 4
thought you would fight, but I see
you amt got no more grit than o |
worm. Go on back with your rake
handle that you stole during the
Brooks Baxter fight, and don't never
speak to me no MORE
If it want on sich q solemn occa-
sion, replied old Cornstalk. I'D whup
ye fur caliin' this old gun a rake-han-
die, anthem arter yer sorter tekivered
yersef I'D wnup yer fur sayin l stold |
hit
Yes; you've always got some ex-
cuse. Go on back and tell the wimmin
folks that you'll tote water and make
fires for 'em.'
None Of the murmurers now bad |
the courage to face the indig nation OF |
the sheriff and his more determined |
followers, and as they rode on, losing |
sight of Cornstalk, no one dared to lit
a voice against the expedition. For a
time they proceeded in silence; the
clank of tue horses hoofs aud the oc.
casional splash of water falling from |
the grim rocks above were the only |
sounds to break the still quiet of the
rugged region OF solitude.
We've got to be mighty careful
along here, fellers,' said the sheriff, |
turning and looking over his men who |
filed along the new steep pathway,
Reaching place of high prominence,
the leader stopped moment, and
shading his eyes from the sun which |
blazed over distant peak, be survey
ed the ravine below, and then led his
men down the dangerous slope. The
last man had descended, and the sher-
if and an adviser were debating as to
tie proper course to be taken, when
from up among the rocky ledges puffs
of smoke arose, and the sharp crack of
the rifle aud the jarring bang of the
shotgun threw the men into confu- |
sion. Two men fell from their horses |
and were borne away by their CON-
panions. Each man sprang from his
horse and took refuge as best he
could. The surprise was complete,
+honnh :, .,;.k. 49, -